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Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) as a marker of disease activity and treatment efficacy in seasonal asthmi
Author(s) -
Vatrella A.,
Ponticiello A.,
Parrella R.,
Romano I.,
Zofra S.,
Leva A. Di,
Bariffi F.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1996.tb04667.x
Subject(s) - medicine , eosinophil cationic protein , eosinophil , asthma , methacholine , salbutamol , placebo , gastroenterology , immunology , respiratory disease , lung , pathology , alternative medicine
This study was carried out to determine whether serum cosinophil cationic protein (ECP) represents a sensitive marker for disease activity in atopic asthmatic patients during the pollen season. The study. in double‐blind fashion, was performed between February and June 1994. Two groups of 10 seasonal asthmatic patients randomly received two different treatments. The first group was treated with inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 500 kg bid; the second received a matched placebo (P). At the beginning and every month, blood samples for determination of ECP and eosinophil count were collected and lung function (FEV 1 ) and methacholine responsiveness (PD 20 ) were performed. Subjects recorded daily symptoms of asthma, salbutamol consumption, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values. In the P group, all indices, except FEV 1 , showed significant changes during the pollen season (P< 0.001). In the BDP group, significant changes were detected for symptom score (P<0.01). salbutamol consumption (P<0.01), and eosinophil number (P<0.05). Between the two groups, significant differences for symptom score (P<0.001), salbutamol consumption (P< 0.001), ECP levels (P<0.05), eosinophil count (P<0.02), PD 20 methacholine (P<0.02), and PEF values (P<0.01) were detected. Changes in serum ECP significantly correlated with changes in other parameters (P< 0.001), except FEV 1 . Our results provide evidence that serum ECP is a sensitive marker for monitoring of the disease activity in seasonal asthma. Furthermore, it may offer a useful tool for estimating treatment efficacy.